I've been dreaming all week about my very large box of vintage finds. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love nothing more than scouring through antique shops, junk shops and Steptoe yards looking for treasures. I have one particular shop that I travel a great distance to out in the country. It is a real steptoe yard.....filthy, unorganised and definitely doesn't adhere to OH&S standards but oh how I love this place. I usually spend several hours there, getting dirty crawling through the various piles of 'junk' and even the owner is not sure what is in all the yet to be unpacked boxes.
There is something very exhilarating about finding an item that has been discarded by another person and being able to clean it up, paint it up and give it a new life. That is not to say that everything should be transformed in this way - just the unwanted and neglected. Some pieces just need a thorough cleaning to reveal their original beauty.
I'm enjoying working with silverware at present as you can tell by the case full here. I already have in mind what I will paint on many of these pieces.
I also have a bit of an obsession with old suitcases and hat boxes. These ones here are destined for shabby land in pretty pastel colours.
This is a close up of the top case - it is an antique sewing box with pull out drawers for the cotton spools. I have painted one of my teddies on the front of this one.
This little baby bear is one of my new designs in my Teddy Pattern Collection and he is painted on the front of a wee case. The saying says..."Wherever I go, my blankie goes too"
In our family room I have combined two loves - collected cases and teddies. They are stored on an old luggage rack from a 'Red Rattler' train carriage. The Gladstone bag is my husbands. It reminds him of his pa.
Hopefully next week I will have some transformed treasures to show you after a busy and creative weekend.